Lynn: A life-changing trip to Furzey Gardens

After suffering with ill health, due in part to a shoulder injury, I sadly had to give up work in early 2021, which subsequently led to a distinct loss of self-confidence and self-worth. A chance visit to Furzey that summer following a promotional advert on Facebook was, however, to prove to be completely life changing for me.

I had never visited Furzey before, but the gardens had a wonderfully restorative feeling and I offered to volunteer that very same day. Initially I was keen to help in the Tea Rooms as I felt my background and skills would lend well to that service, but sadly Covid was still very much in play at that time and the café wasn’t taking on new volunteers.

It was therefore proposed that I tried volunteering at the Welcome Hut – meeting and greeting all our visitors as they arrive in the gardens. I love chatting with people so this role was perfect for me – and I loved it! I officially joined the Furzey Welcome Team in July 2021 and regularly volunteered once, if not twice, a week at the gate for the rest of that season.

In February 2022 the Tea Rooms were able to throw their doors open to the public once again and I was encouraged to volunteer there as well. Again, it was great fun and hugely rewarding and so from then on, I helped both in the Tea Rooms and at the Welcome hut, greatly enjoying the mix of both roles.

Importantly though, volunteering in the Tea Rooms also introduced me to Josh, someone the Trust supported at that time, who was participating on the work experience programme. I was told that he could be quite shy of new people, but we got on brilliantly and I really enjoyed working with him and supporting him in the café environment. Like the rest of the team, I was absolutely delighted and really proud of him when he moved to Minstead Lodge to join the hospitality team to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional chef. I continue to follow his amazing story now that he has passed his apprenticeship and has moved into paid employment in the local community.

It was during this time that I actually joined the Tea Room team as paid staff, although I continued to volunteer alongside my paid role. Being at Furzey had been so overwhelmingly life changing for me personally, that I was keen to continue to give back and help in any way I could. I started volunteering at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in the evenings and thoroughly enjoyed both greeting the audience and as well as the huge variety of performances. My husband has also since joined the team and loves it – plus he’s also a dab hand at the washing up in the Tea Rooms when extra help is needed!

During my time at Minstead so far, I have loved meeting, working and volunteering with visitors, staff and fellow volunteers, but it is working alongside the people we support which has taught me so much and which has always fuelled my desire to learn more and be more involved. I joined the bank support worker team in residential living while the Tea Rooms were closed for the winter season and most recently, I am hugely excited to be starting a new chapter in my story of being involved in the Trust as I am soon to start volunteering with the Jam & Chutney team – and working alongside the people we support once again. I can’t wait!

To find out more about volunteering at Furzey Gardens and  Minstead Trust, get in touch! Volunteers@MinsteadTrust.org.uk